Gerald W. Gentry of Artesia, Mississippi

December 8, 1926 - April 14, 2021

Gerald Wayne Gentry, Sr. of Artesia, Mississippi, passed peacefully in his home April 14, 2021. He lived most of his 94 years in Artesia with his wife, Jewell Walker Gentry, who left this world, August 6, 2019. Gerald leaves behind three children, seven grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. His children are, Gerald (Gerry) Wayne Gentry, Jr., (Sue), Debby Howze (Odis), and Angie Lewis (Rusty). His grandchildren are Amy Robertson Gonzalez (Jim), David Gentry (Tina), Wil Robertson (Diana), Randy Gentry, Lindsey Lewis, Lacey Braden (Dustin). and Lesley Lewis.

Gerald was the 9 th child of William Albert Gentry, Sr. and Nellie June Bell, born December 8, 1926 in Marks, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by siblings, Eunice, Palma, Hilman, Lewis, W. A. Jr., Merrill, Malcolm, Doris and Maybelle. He leaves behind siblings Shirley Brown, Peggy Phillips, Billie Noland and Mickey Gentry, and numerous nieces and nephews.

From and early age Gerald made his home in Artesia. He graduated from Brooksville High School, joined the Navy and spent two years stateside. When he returned he attended junior college at Scooba studying woodworking. Gerald chose Jewell to be his girl, at the age of ten, and carried her school books up the same sidewalk, by a fig tree on the corner that became their home in Artesia. As young marrieds, he and Jewell helped to build and maintain the Artesia Telephone Exchange. They were owners, operators, maintenance workers, and accountants for the company, and for rental properties acquired through the years. In addition, Gerald worked 39 years with the GM&O/ICG railroad. His legacy is one of hard work, honesty, integrity, commitment, and the value of a dollar. He was a fixture in Artesia and a man admired and respected.

The years of hard work rolled into years of delightful retirement. Dad picked up a guitar and became involved in another lifelong love, music. He shared this love with Jewell, and a host of new friends, spending summers, playing and singing on the square, in Mountain View, Arkansas, and winters in Brownsville, Texas. They never missed Thanksgiving or Christmas in Artesia, as family and time with family was always a priority.

As the years mounted, Dad stayed active by keeping the Artesia United Methodist Church property maintained, riding his John Deere tractor miles and miles around his properties, and setting up a make shift store on his driveway. When not sitting on his front porch, his favorite pastime was looking for bargains at Dirt Cheap and Harbor Freight buying items he could repair for resale on his store front.

Daddy, always fascinated with how things worked, was a master at getting his money's worth from an item. He got his money's worth with the life God gave him and his value to us is immeasurable.

A graveside service will be held Sunday April 18, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at Artesia United Methodist Church Cemetery with Rev. Gene Merkl officiating. Visitation will be held Sunday April 18, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. until time for the graveside service at Artesia United Methodist Church.

Memorials may be made to"

Artesia United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund P.O. Box 188 Artesia, MS 39736